Land management

The Trust can provide a range of land management services to landowners to help them manage their land - this can be in the form of a regular contract or a one-off small task.

Examples include the creation or restoration of specific habitats, pond or ditch management, ride/path mowing, Himalayan balsam pulling or site safety checks and patrols.

According to the needs of the task, work can either be carried out by members of our ranger team, or by our team of conservation volunteers, led by an experienced ranger. The volunteer team generally numbers 15 -20 people.

On average to hire members of the Ranger Team for a day costs £225 while using the services of our volunteers supported by a Ranger costs around £295.

We have provided land management services for several local authorities from Central Bedfordshire Council to town and parish councils; businesses, for example Tarmac Ltd, The Peter Smith Charitable Trust, The Environment Agency, The Wildlife Trust and private individuals.

Latest

The HSBC UK Go-Ride Holiday Coaching Camps for kids organised by British Cycling return to the park this Easter, various dates from 4-12 April aimed at beginner and advanced mountain bikers. Booking and all information available via the British Cycling website.

Explore Maulden Wood in Spring when it’s looking its best with stunning displays of wild flowers - especially bluebells.
Learn about the woodland’s wildlife, history and management on this guided walk with proceeds supporting the conservation work of the Trust.

Kings Wood and Rammamere Heath, both special wildlife areas, are home to some fascinating plants and creatures. Discover more on a friendly walk with Countryside Ranger Bob Hook and two Judith’s, our wildflower enthusiasts.

Related

The Trust can help town and parish councils or Neighbourhood Plan Steering Groups create a robust Neighbourhood Plan, taking full account of the environment and its value to people and wildlife, through the creation of a Community-level Green Infrastructure Plan.

We are able to act as consultants for local authorities, private landowners and local communities utilising the skills of our highly qualified and experienced team for all manner of strategic and environmental planning and reporting.

Our dedicated education team works with local schools and groups to develop and deliver a range of educational activities and events encouraging all ages to discover our environment in many different ways.

The Trust has experienced and suitably licensed ecologists who have the expertise to undertake habitat and protected species surveys of land and buildings. We can also produce ecological enhancement schemes and management plans - for example for new developments.

Ideal for families all year round is our very popular Sculpture Trail, an access for all path accessed from the car park outside the Visitor Centre. Find the fairy doors, play on our wooden sculptures and – a real must – have a photo taken in the Giant’s Chair!

Here at Rushmere we’re big believers in the power of Natural Play and our woodland is perfect for this so we’ve developed a number of “play spots” around the site which you can discover as part of your visit. They are not part of a set trail but dotted around for you to find as you explore the site.